A/N: Ok, once again, any characters you don't recognize are mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! eyes go back in head GOLLUM! GET OUT OF MY HEAD! THIS ISN'T YOUR BOOK! Eyes go back to normal Sorry bout that. Enjoy!

Chapter 4-The Sorting

The group had made it to the great hall. Just as Nicole and Ashley went to go in, Professor McGonagall stopped them. "You two come with me. You need to be sorted. I know its not your first year, but you need somewhere to stay." Nicole and Ashley gave their friends a smile and went with her.

She took them into the small room off the great hall to wait with the first years. When it was time to go, Ashley gave Nicole a smile for confidence. Nicole said to Ashley, "What if I'm not in Gryffindor with Harry?" Ashley knew that this was a big deal for her, so she said "You will be. I promise."

The line of first years, (and two 6th years) went towards the front of the hall. The hat sang its usual song, but with even more of a warning-

"The Dark Lord's back, we this all know,

And so now before I go,

I must say this to all of you,

Be careful of what you say and do.

He spread his hate through us all,

We must stand together, or we'll fall."

A ripple of fear spread through the hall, but no one said a word. Harry scanned the line for Nicole and blew her a kiss. She smiled and blew one back. The first name was called (Anderson, Andrew "HUFFLEPUFF") As the line shrank, Nicole became nervous. Finally, "Skyler, Ashley!" Ashley took a deep breath and sat on the stool. The hat fought with it's self until—"GRYFFINDOR!" Ashley sighed and scurried to the table. After ten more minutes, she heard, "Blacke, Nicole!" Nicole went forward, shaking. She sat on the stool. Well, lets see. Good mind. And brave. I think, "Raven-" the hat cut short. What's this? A hidden destiny. Something great? A life saved…I think—"GRYFFINDOR!" Nicole smiled and went to sit by Harry. The problem was, no one clapped. No one said a word. Everyone just stared.

"What's going on?" Nicole whispered. Ron looked at her. "The thing is, the sorting hat's never done that before. It's NEVER changed its mind." Everyone stared occasionally through the feast. Nicole was uneasy, but she tried to ignore the stares. Andilynne still didn't know whether to tell them what was going on or not. Ron obviously knew that something was wrong, but if she should tell him or not…that was a different story.

Ron looked at her. Something was going on behind those dark eyes. What was it? He wished she trusted him enough to tell him. Would she? Well, he thought, No matter what, I'll be there for her. Who knows. Maybe she will tell me.

Ron's thoughts were interrupted by Hermione prodding him in the back. "Ron! We have to show the first years where to go!" She turned to Harry and said, "Could you show Ashley and NICOLE," she said Nicole like it was a dirty swear word, "where to go. Come on Ron."

They turned and left calling, "First year Gryffindors this way!"

Harry Nicole and Ashley left the hall. Half way to the portrait, he took Nicole's hand and said, "I'm sorry about Hermione. She didn't act like this before. I don't know why she's doing it now."

Nicole looked at him and said, 'It's ok. You're her best friend. She just wants the best for you."

"It's no excuse."

Andilynne had been following behind the entire time. What am I going to do? Voldemort's after me. After what happened to Harry in fourth year, I'm not even safe here. If Dumbledore finds out the extent of what I saw in my dream, I'll be surprised if I live through this year. These thoughts haunted her all the way to the common room. She gave the password ("Chimaeras") and climbed into the common room. She found her friends sitting by the fire talking. Things were quieter without the Weasley twins. She went and sat down with her friends.

"-it's never changed it's mind before. That's why people were staring at you." Ron was finishing. Hermione had gone to bed.

"Why did it change it's mind on me?" Nicole asked.

"It must have seen something else in you." Ashley answered.

Harry was sitting by Nicole, holding her close. Cho Chang came into the Gryffindor common room. Harry jumped up. "What are YOU doing in HERE!"

"I came for Andilynne. I'm Head Girl. Dumbledore wants to see her." They all looked at Andilynne. The moment she had dreaded was here.

"I'll see you all later."